Pads (knees and elblows)

Plenty of pads on sale at BPW, you’ll pay retail price but at least be able to try on.

can’t comment on the ones you’re looking at but if it’s convenient, i’d suggest going into a bike shop and trying a few sets to find some that are comfortable on you.

I've got the IXS Flow Evo pads. Find them very comfortable and suitably burly for a big day.

I've had the Leatt ones on your list for about a year. I bought about 5 pairs to try from CRC when I got them and they felt the most comfortable. Still happy with them and they've saved my knees a couple of times.

Thanks all, ordered some IXS flow EVO knees and flow 2 elbows based on what was available in my size and relatively cheaper. If those don't work out then I'll try on and get some at BPW and pay full retail but it's a punt on saving £100+ overall and somehow some new shorts and a cheap full face ended up in the basket.

Do you live near a ‘Stif’ bike shop? If so they have a lot of stock of knee pads - went to one recently rather than doing the returns roulette ordering loads online to try and then returning ones that don’t fit.

The last 2 goes I’ve gone with Fox Launch D30 - they’re a good combo of decent protection / stay put / can pedal in them all day. I find after a while though that they stretch and are leas good at staying up - nornally 1 year to 18 months before I buy a new pair.

I thought I’d try some different pads this time and have gone with Ion K-Pacts. I’d say they’re slightly burlier (closer to the Scott Grenade Evos I had before the Fox). They felt lovely and comfy in the shop - but I’d say they bunches slightly behind the right knee on first ride last weekend at Cwmcarn / Risca. Will see how they go after a few rides - if annoying I might save them for uplifts and either go back to a new pair of Fox Launch d30 or perhaps try the Ion K-Pact Lite. They seemed like they’d be a bit nicer for all day pedals but with leas protection on the sides of the knee.

Edit - I did try a few pairs of POCmpads but none of them did the job for me.

VPD joint 2.0 were really big and heavy - would be ace on pure uplift but wouldn’t want to pedal them anywhere. Vpd air would be decent if they had a bottom strap but they don’t - feels like a fast crash would drag them up (I had this with 661 recons before and gashed my knee despite having knee pads on). There was another set but it turned out they were just a tight sleev with no straps so they went back too.

Sweet protection (they had some in Stif) seemed a step down in quality and protection. Next to the Ion and Fox Launch. They had some Troy Lee pads but they were so expensive I didn’t even bother trying them on.

IXS carve Evo+ here, actually the carve 2.0 now (in a size bigger) and they're fantastic. Burly enough for park days but also ok to use on big rides all day.

Thanks all. Hopefully the random discounted ones will work out or my Friday is going to be spendy. 😆

Been meaning to do this for a while for those big days out and they'll last me years with any luck with mostly being an XC/days in the hills type.

@JoeBristol - is that the one in Winterborne? I keep meaning to pop in but never get the chance even though I pass them daily.

I was wondering what sort of stock levels they had.

My lad got the IXS pads this weekend and is very happy with them. They're better than the budget would imply that's for sure.

@zerocool - yes the one in Winterbourne. They always seem to have a lot of stock of lots of things in there. Millions of Santa Cruz bikes, loads of clothes / protection gear etc

I’ve got the IXS Flow Evo pads. Find them very comfortable and suitably burly for a big day.

Huh, weird, I use these as 'everyday' pads, more lightweight and easier to pedal in, for uplift days I use Sweet Protection Bear Suit.

I have Leatt Airflex pads, very comfortable but I recommend trying before buying, I ended 2 sizes up from the one I had picked from size chart.

I have the Leatt for trail duties or skate park, for BPW and Dyfi POC VPD2.0 big pads are worn

@joebristol - cool I’ll try to pop in.

for uplift days I use Sweet Protection Bear Suit